Effect of Coronavirus-19 Restrictions in Male Handball Players: Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Satisfaction with Life

This experiment examined physical activity (PA), sitting time, and satisfaction with life (SL) in European (45%) Middle Eastern North African (MENA; 55%) handball players (n = 418; age: 25.6 ± 6.8 years; body mass: 88.1 11.7 kg; height: 1.83 0.08 m) during the coronavirus (COVID)-19 pandemic. The International Physical Activity (IPAQ) Satisfaction of Life (LS) Questionnaires were administered. All PA variables (vigorous, moderate, walking, total PA) negatively influenced, but no interaction effects (IE; region x time) observed. Sitting time increased from 2.5 to 4.9 h∙weekday−1 (ηp2 0.80) walking decreased 66.8 33.5 min∙day−1 0.83). Based on effect sizes (d), pre- during-confinement reductions similar between regions (MENA: d 3.29; Europe: 3.41; IE: ηp2 0.01). largest regional difference was moderate 1.88; 2.99; 0.09). SL sample reduced 30.6 2.02 13.9 2.20 arbitrary units (AU). reduction both (dMENA 8.44; dEUROPE 8.06; To conclude, COVID-19 confinement, increased, irrespective geographical region. These preliminary findings highlight risk inactivity restrictions 2021.